Objective:
Develop DNA barcoding/fingerprinting methods for botanical supplements and correlate this data with spectral and chromatographic fingerprints and metabolomic profiles using Black Cohosh and Echinacea as models. Both botanicals are popular dietary supplements with a high market share. Both genera are comprised of numerous species that are frequently used to adulterate or substitute for the target species. This study will develop methods for obtaining DNA barcodes and fingerprints and chemical fingerprints, and metabolomics profiles that can be used to identify and authenticate these botanical supplements and will be incorporated into a database.

Approach:
Authentic samples of Black Cohosh (Actaea racemosa), Echinacea (Echinacea angustofolia and Echinacea purpurea), and Echinacea hybrids will be collected. Specific gene regions will be sequenced (“DNA barcodes”) and/or microsatellites will be genotyped (“DNA fingerprints”). Additionally, chemical fingerprints will be obtained based on chromatographic profiles from ultra high performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC) and spectral fingerprints from direct injection high resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS). Metabolomic profiles will be obtained by combining the chromatography and mass spectrometry for UHPLC-HRMS. Chemometric pattern recognition methods will be applied to the fingerprints to discriminate between species and hybrids. Chemical fingerprints will be correlated with the DNA barcodes and/or fingerprints. The results of these studies will be incorporated into a publicly available database.